Selective relay



Aug l, 1950 .1.J. sHlvELY 2,517,450

SELECTIVE RELAY Original Filed Aug. 26, 1942 2 SheeS--Sheetl l lNvENToR ma BY a; 42a M/WM ATTORNEYS ug. l, 1950 .1.J. sHlvELY 2,517,450

SELECTIVE RELAY Original Filed Aug. 26, 1942 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug. 1, 1950 SELECTIVE RELAY John J. Shively, New York, N. Y., assigner, by mesne assignments, to Roswell C. Tripp Original application August 26, 1942, Serial No.

456,157, now Patent No. 2,416,070, dated February 18, 1947.

Divided and this application January 26, 1945, Serial No. 574,693

1 Claim. 1

The present invention pertains to improvements in selective relays, being a division of my Patent No. 2,416,070, issued February 18, 1947.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved relay adapted to control a circuit or circuits in response to a pre-determined number of electrical impulses.

Another object is to provide a device of the above nature including means to prevent actuation of the circuit controls when the number of impressed electrical impulses exceeds the said pre-determined number.

A further object is to provide apparatus of the above nature including means adapted to actuate switching contacts upon entering a given station from one direction but to avoid actuating said contacts upon entering said station from the opposite direction.

Another object is to provide suitable circuit arrangements by which the invention may be applied to a variety of control purposes.

A further object is to provide apparatus of the above nature which is simple, compact, and which may be easily and cheaply manufactured.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become evident in the course of the following description in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a longitudinal view of a preferred form of the device in normal position, the view being taken in partial vertical central section;

Figure 2 is a similar View illustrating the position of the parts when the relay magnet is energized;

Figure 3 is a fragmental view showing an alternative detail form of the time delay mechanism;

Figure 4 is a rear elevation of the device, showing the selective switching means in normal position;

Fig. 5 is a partial similar view showing the selective switching means in engaged position;

Figure 6 is a cross sectional view partially in the plane E--B, Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic sectional view of the selector contacts, referring to the plane 'l-1, Figure 5;

Figure 8 is a detail cross sectional view of the switching head on the lines 8 8, Figure 9;

Figure 9 is a detail sectional view of the switching head on the lines 9 3, Figures 5 and 8.

Referring to Figures l, 2, 4 and 6, the numeral denotes a, channel-shaped frame having upwardly extending bearing portions 2l and 22 (Figure 6) in which is journalled a cross-Shaft 2 23. A ratchet 24 is secured centrally on the shaft 23, A pawl 25, pivoted on a cross rod 26, is adapted to engage the ratchet 24.

An electro-magnet 2l, mounted on an angular frame 2B, is secured in the channel frame 20. An armature 29 is movably held in knife-.edge relationship in the magnet frame 28 and is normally held retracted from the magnet 2l by a spring 30, as shown in Figure 1.

The armature 29 has a forked extension 3l into which is secured in snap relation a spring clip or yoke 32. The upper or cross bar portion of the yoke 32 overlies the ratchet 24, and in normal position as shown in Figures l and 6, the bar stands clear of the ratchet teeth. When the magnet 2l is energized, as in Figure 2, thereby drawing the armature 29 and yoke 32 downward, the bar 33 engages the ratchet 24 and revolves the latter through substantially the arc of one tooth. During this action the spring construction of the yoke 32 permits the bar 33 to follow the circular motion of the ratchet.

A forked lever 34 is pivoted on a cross-rod 35 in the frame 20 below the armature 29, and is urged upward by diagonal springs 36. Due to the sectional showing in Figures l and 2, only one leg 31 of the forked lever 34 and one spring appear therein, but it will be understood that the second leg and spring are similar to those shown, the legs spanning the magnet 2l and magnet frame 28.

A light leaf spring 38 is secured to the lever 34, and the free end of the spring 38 extends through a slot 39 in the downwardly bent rear end 4e of the pawl 25. When the lever is in upper or normal position, as shown in Figure l, it presses the leaf spring 38 flat against the bottom of the pawl 25 and holds the latter clear of the ratchet 24. However, when the lever 34 is depressed as in Figure 2, the spring 38 is flexed and urges the pawl 25 resiliently into engagement with the ratchet 24.

An adjustable screw 4l in the armature 22 is adapted to engage the top of the forked lever 34 and depress the latter, as shown in Figure 2, when the armature is drawn down by the magnet 21.

After depression of the lever 34 and after the armature 29 has been released by the magnet 2l', the upward return of the lever 34 is controlled by time delay means of any suitable type, herein illustrated as a pneumatic device constructed as follows:

A bottom cap 42 secured to the frame 20, has SQTGWCd therein a body member or casing 43,

securing the discs and diaphragm together and also to the bottom of the lever 34.

When the lever 34 is in normal position, Figure 1, the elevation of the diaphragm 45 provides an upper chamber 56 between the latter and the casing 43. A central passage 5| in the casing 43 terminates in a downwardly directed valve seat 52. A thin valve disck 53 is normally pressed upward against the seat 52 by a light spring 54, a spud 55 serving to guide the spring and also to act as a limit stop for the disc 53.

A small orice 56, leading from the upper chamber 50 onto the -lower chamber 44, is cooperative with a cone-pointed screw 5l to form an adjustable needle-valve passage between the chambers.

The lower chamber 44' may have a breather opening 58 provided with a screen 59 to prevent entry of dust. Where the device is to be used in locations involving very ne dust, undue moisture, fumes, or the like, breather 53' may be omitted, and if it is desired to minimize compression in the lower chamber, an alternative construction such as that shown in. Figure 3 may be used. In the latter construction,` the bottom cap 42e is deepened and is secured in a suitable opening in the main frame a by any convenient means, such as a strap 56. This structure provides large volume in the lower chamber 44a, preventing und-ue rise in pressure during operation as hereafter set forth, but at the same time remaining sealed against the exterior atmosphere.

An offset bracket 6I', Figures l, 2, and 6, is secured to the side of the frame '2U and carries switching means 62 of any suitable type herein illustrated as a well-known commercial switch having an actuating leaf 63 and normally open contacts 64 and 65. As the internal structures of such switches are well-known in the art and form per se no part of the present invention, no detailed description thereof is required, the contacts 64 and 65 and their operation being shown diagrammatically in Figures 10 to 16, inclusive.

An adjustable pin 66, secured in the forked lever 34, is adapted to engage the leaf 63 and actuate the switch 62 in the usual manner during upward movement of the lever 34.

Referring to Figures 4, 5, and 6, it will be seen that the rear end'l of the shaft 2'3 carries a disc 68 tightly secured thereon, as by pressing or the like.

The disc 68 has ra radially extending lug 69 adapted to engage a stationary stop l provided on the frame side member 22. A torsional reset spring 'Il coiled .around the shaft 23, Figures 2 and 6, normally holds the lug 69 retracted against the stop 'I6 as shown in Figure 4.

The disc 68 has therein an even number of equally spaced tapped holes l2, the holes corresponding in number and angular spacing to the number and spacing of the teeth of the ratchet 24. A transverse block 13 is secured to the disc by means of two shoulder screws 14'. An insulating disc 'l5 has two oppositely disposed holes 16 engaging the vShanks 'H of the screws 74,

Light compression springs 'i8 on the Shanks ll normally hold the insulating disc l5 Hat against .mounted on the frame member Z2, being electrically insulated from the frame and from each other as shown in Figure 6, and provided with terminal lugs 82 and 83 respectively, Figures 4 and 5.

The leading edges 94 and 85 of the contact leaves 86 and il are ared outwardly as shown sectionally in Figure 7, the flared opening between the leaves being in the normal path of circular travel of the switch arm 'I9 and normally adapted to receive the latter in the manner of a knife-switch. The outer leaf S6 is resilient, while the inner leaf 8! is substantially rigid and has an outwardly inclined deflector tab 85 eX- tending from its rear edge..

When the arm 79 is swung in its forward direction by the ratchet mechanism, that is clockwise in Figures 4 and 5, as the arm enters the switching position from the right, it moves. between the leaves 86 and 81' to engage both of them and establish a conducting bridge between them as shown in full lines in Figures 7 and 6. If the arm '19 receives further forward motion it moves out of contact position toward the left, the disc 'l5 rocking to allow the arm i9 to override the deilector tab 86. Thereafter, upon return or reset motion of the arm 'i9 toward the right (Figure 7) the arm engages the inner side of the deector tab 86 and is rocked inwardly to ride behind the leaf si, thus avoidingv contact with the outer leaf 80.

From the foregoing description, illustrated clearly by the arrow paths in Figure 7, it is evident that the arm 19 can establish electrical connection between leaves S5 and 8! only when it engages the switching station in a forward direction, such connection being prevented when the arm enters and passes the station in the reserve or reset direction.

Referring again to Figures 1, 2, and 3, the general operation of the device is as follows:

IThe device being initially in normal or reset position, when the magnet 2l receives an energizing impulse, the armature 2S is drawn downward to revolve the ratchet 24' and to depress the lever 34 as previously described. As the lever 34 is depressed, the depression. of the attached diaphragm 45 suddenly forces air out of the chamber 5l] past the check valve 53. When the magnet 2l is de-energized the armature 23 immediately snaps up to normal position, but rise of the lever 34 is restrained by the resistance to upward motion of the diaphragm 45 due to atmospheric pressure above it, the check valve 53 being closed against re-entry of air below the diaphragm. The pawl .25 consequently remains in engagement with the ratchet 24, holding the latter against rearward rotation by the torsion spring 1l.

Under lthe upward urge of the diagonal springs 36, a partial vacuum is created below the diaphragm 45, and air moves in through the restricted needle valve orifice 56A to gradually relieve the vacuum and allow the diaphragm to rise throughout a period of time dependent on the strength of springs 36 and the adjustment of the needle screw 51 in the orifice 56.

If the magnet 2l receives no further impulse and the above action repeated, the ratchet being advanced a second step.

From the foregoing it is evident that a series of impulses to the magnet 2l causes the ratchet 24 and attached parts to be rotated by successive steps without reset until, following an impulse, a sufficient pause occurs to permit the lever 34 to rise without interruption. It is further evident that the duration of the time required for reset to be efected may be set by adjustment of the needle valve screw 51.

As the shaft 3 is advanced by rotative steps, the switch arm 19, (Figures l and 5), is moved by corresponding steps, and when the requisite number of impulses has been applied, the arm closes the connection between members Si] and 8l as previously described. The shoulder screws 'il may be placed interchangeably in any selected pair of holes l2 in the disc 68, allowing the arm '29 to be set at various angular normal positions with respect to the contacts E0 and 6l to cause closure of the latter after any desired number of impulses within the range of the device. Thus in Figure 4 the arm is set to close contact on the second impulse for purposes of illustration.

During upward movement of the forked lever u 31%, near the upper limit of its travel, the pin 66, Figure 1, engages the leaf 63 to actuate the switch 62.

While the invention has been set forth in preferred form, it is not limited to the precise structures illustrated, as various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

In a selective relay, in combination, a rotary support, a rigid metallic member on said support, a pair of spaced pins secured to said support and extending through said rigid member,

resilient means to normally hold said rigid member fiat against said support, means to rotate said rotary support in one direction to move said rigid member in a pre-determined path at ,5. right angles to the plane of rocking of said rigid member, means to rotarily retract said support and rigid member in the other direction, a pair of spaced contact members in said path and engageable simultaneously in knife relationship by 3 said rigid member moving in said first direction,

and an inclined deector on one of said contact members and adapted to deflect said rigid member from said other contact member when said rigid member is rotarily retracted in said second direction.

JOHN J. SHIVELY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 462,836 Burnet Nov. 10, 1891 1,199,560 Jones Sept. 26, 1916 1,865,389 Reddy June 28, 1932 

